Method and system for calibrating a tire pressure sensing system for an automotive vehicle

• US 6,945,087 B2
• Filed: 04/26/2004
• Issued: 09/20/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/05/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Tenbusch, John, Rust, John LeBeau, Miller, Thomas Lee, McQuade, Thomas Michael, Porter, Frederick James
• Primary Examiner(s): OEN, WILLIAM L
• Application Number:
  US10/832,027
• Publication Number:
  US 20040255663A1
• Time in Patent Office: 512 Days
• Field of Search: 73/15.7, 73/15.9, 73/16.6, 73/17.1, 73/17.2, 731/462, 731/463, 731/464, 731/465, 340442-447, 340/438
• US Class Current: 73/1.57
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0408 transmitting the signals by non-mechanical means from the wheel or tyre to a vehicle body mounted receiver

Abstract

A system (10) and method is provided for calibrating a tire pressure monitoring system using an EM transmitter (14). The present invention includes a first pressure sensor coupled to a wheel of an automotive vehicle (12). The EM pressure transmitter (14) is coupled to the pressure sensor (32). The transmitter (14) has a serial number associated therewith. An EM calibration device has a transmitting range. The EM transmitter device has an actuator. When the actuator is activated, a calibration signal (34) is transmitted within the transmitting range. The calibration signal causes the EM pressure transmitter (32) to transmit a serial number. A controller (16) is EM coupled to the pressure transmitter. The controller (16) receives the serial number and associates the serial number with a tire location of the vehicle.

Claims

1. An EM calibration device for use with a pressure monitoring system for a tire of an automotive vehicle wherein the system having a tire pressure sensor coupled to the wheel and an EM pressure transmitter coupled to the pressure sensor, the transmitter having calibration information associated therewith comprising:

said EM calibration device having a transmitting range, said EM calibration device having an actuator therein, said actuator when actuated generating an EM calibration signal within said transmitting range;

wherein said calibration signal causing said EM pressure transmitter to EM transmit said calibration information.

2. An EM calibration device as recited in claim 1 wherein said transmitting range is less than three feet.

3. An EM calibration device as recited in claim 1 wherein said EM calibration device is hand-held.

4. An EM calibration device as recited in claim 1 wherein said EM calibration device is incorporated into a remote keyless entry device.

5. An EM calibration device as recited in claim 1 wherein the actuator comprises a push button.